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acadian · Nov 4, 2003, 01:46 PM

To make a long stiry short, I got three consecutive bad 512 RAM sticks from the reseller which were making Panther unusable on my 17 rev B. I finally had them order a Kingston module which arrived today. Now the Kingston module was about $50 more than what I paid for the original stick so I anticipated having to cover the difference, no big deal, especially if it was going to solve my problem. The technician hands me the unit and says that he wont charge me the difference because of all the trouble I've been put through. Great, thanks... I get home, boot up the powerbook, check the system profiler and lo and behold, my powerbook is sporting 1.5 Gb's of RAM!!!!!!! Just to confirm, I open up the book and sure enough, they have, apparantly mistakingly, popped in a 1 Gig stick instead of the 512 I ordered. Now I'm not too sure if this was simply an oversight on the technicians part or if he was just being a REALLY nice guy. He did mention after all on my second visit that he was new to the Apple deprtment and had only been on the job working with Macs for about a week, he even asked me what the dialogue was on the mac boards regarding this issue as it might help him diagnose the problem more easily. My conscience is knawing at me now and I'm feeling I should do the right thing and ring the shop up.

sghms · Nov 4, 2003, 01:56 PM

I agree with you, do the right thing and ring them up

hadocon · Nov 4, 2003, 01:57 PM

Teach him a lessen he will never forget. Keep the ram and enjoy

Stuphalina · Nov 4, 2003, 02:11 PM

since the first two post were on both side, I will ask you this: is the place you bout it at a smal place that will be affected by this slihgt oversight? Or will they just be able to write it off? If it is a small place then maybe doing the right thing is the right idea, but if not, enjoy your little �gift.�
Obviously the right thing to do is tell them what happened, but sometimes it�s nice to be the bad one.

ASIMO · Nov 4, 2003, 02:14 PM

Interesting way of spelling gnaw. Knaw. No such finding. Hmm. Interesting.

I say keep it. Unless of course you want to send it back.

acadian · Nov 4, 2003, 02:36 PM

It's not a small shop, rather a campus computer store. If the guy was'nt so damn nice to me in the first place by not charging me the difference I might consider just keeping it. As it is though, I dont want to get this chap in trouble so I'll return it....tomorrow...going to enjoy it for bit anyways. Who knows, I may have a serious problem in the future and by returning the RAM, this guy will be more inclined to give me special consideration.

PoisonTooth · Nov 4, 2003, 02:46 PM

I'd keep it, because I'm a jackass that way. Of all the times companies will do anything they can to screw you, I say take this gimme as the gift that it is and think of it next time some company tries to treat you like a pain in the ass instead of a human being.

SSharon · Nov 4, 2003, 03:13 PM

Go in there WITHOUT your powerbook and tell only him what happened, see what he says. this way they can't make you take it out in front of them and they may just let you keep it. Good luck hope they let you just take it, I mean the price difference of the ram comes close to the installation/hassle price that they would have to deal with, especially if the next chip they give you goes bad.

bbales · Nov 4, 2003, 07:32 PM

I think you know what's right -- you've made it clear you do. A question that will gnaw at you, though -- will the guy get in trouble for his mistake? Will he have to eat the cost? If yes, then I can tell you already know the answer.

BTW, what's the price difference?

acadian · Nov 4, 2003, 07:46 PM

512 = $250.00
1GB = $1325.00

Thats over a thousand dollars folks. Thats also called theft where I come from. Kinda like getting an extra grand from a bank machine whenn you dont have it, it's still not your money.

MacsGalor · Nov 4, 2003, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by acadian:
512 = $250.00
1GB = $1325.00

Thats over a thousand dollars folks. Thats also called theft where I come from. Kinda like getting an extra grand from a bank machine whenn you dont have it, it's still not your money.

Damn you paid a lot for that RAM I got my 512 sticks for $110 each and a gig stick is $650. I would call them up and tell them what they did then see what they say. They may be happy to have you be an honest person and then let you keep it as a reward.

James L · Nov 4, 2003, 08:13 PM

QUOTE:

"I'd keep it, because I'm a jackass that way. Of all the times companies will do anything they can to screw you, I say take this gimme as the gift that it is and think of it next time some company tries to treat you like a pain in the ass instead of a human being."

DEFINE STRANGE:

"A person advocating screwing over a company that hasn't done a thing to him in order to get back at the companies who have screwed him over."

Or, in the real world, what happens is this:

1) The company, due to lost profits, raises its prices on items.

2) The dude who put the ram in gets fired for the mistake(s).

Either way we, the consumer, tend to lose out in this situation. I say good on ya for being honest. I would, however, echo the advice above and say go in WITHOUT the machine, tell them what happened, and see what they say. If they make the decision to let you keep the ram.... great! If not, well then you know you weren't a slimeball, nor a thief, in the situation.

Cheers!

shatten22 · Nov 4, 2003, 09:03 PM

give it back. karma works in mysterious ways. and it would be TERRIBLE if this guy lost his job, which is a real possibility.

-g

filmmaker2002 · Nov 4, 2003, 09:22 PM

Anyone think that if he brings it back...the mistake is revealed...and the tech loses his job THAT way? I say keep it.

Ryan1524 · Nov 4, 2003, 09:27 PM

bring it back...he might let you keep it. if not, good karma..

maybe if you talk to him privately first..so if his mistake can make him lose his job..he might let you keep it. (for his sake too) or he can quietly correct it.

jdhindes · Nov 4, 2003, 09:27 PM

Do the right thing and take it back. That is what is wrong today. . . no one has any morals or scrupples. In my book getting something you didn't pay for (even though it wasn't your mistake) is theft.

You will be glad in the long run that you did what was honest and right.

Just my .02 . . .

Jim

mainemanx · 09:54 PM

Ask your mother ... what would she tell you to do?

Likewise, do not ask your father! Mine would have beaten-the-hell out of me for not already taking it back without asking.

RodriCO2000 · Nov 4, 2003, 10:00 PM

Natural Law Theory at it's best!!!!

We all know what to do, but we want to do the wrong thing

spatterson · Nov 4, 2003, 10:16 PM

Originally posted by MacsGalor:
Damn you paid a lot for that RAM I got my 512 sticks for $110 each and a gig stick is $650. I would call them up and tell them what they did then see what they say. They may be happy to have you be an honest person and then let you keep it as a reward.

Did you get your 512 stick online?

trublue · Nov 4, 2003, 10:34 PM

Acadian,

Recently I had a similar problem. I made the wrong choice & now I regret it. Basically, mine goes something like this:

About two months back I decided that I would try my hand in the digital audio arena and placed together an order for a lot of audio equipment from a company online called DJMart.com. I ordered a hot product which just hit the market (M-Audio Firewire 410), a condesnser microphone, three microphone stands (one boom & one for my desk & standing boomless stand), a pop filter, and all the appropriate cables to go with.

People had been waiting months on the Firewire 410 (which is a firewire audio interface) and was postponed for what seemed like forever for some folks. I was surprised to see that DJMart had them in stock on their web site, but I decided to give them a shot with my order as M-Audio announced that they would (for sure this time) release the product that week. This was actually my entire reason for selecting DJMart for my order.

Before I placed my order though, I thought that I would call them to verify that it was indeed in stock and shipping. When I talked to the sales rep, he said that the web site was wrong but that they would receive them for sure the very next day and would ship it 100% that day. I placed my order. My credit card was billed.

They shipped the next day. A few days later, when UPS dropped off the boxes, I looked inside but couldn't find the Firewire 410. So I called DJMart back. I explained that I was annoyed (not upset) as I couldn't use any of the other equipment without the Firewire 410. Why didn't it ship? I asked. I was being pretty mellow because I am a service manager where I work, and I didn't exactly NEED the product right away. Also I explained that my desktop microphone stand did not have a mini-boom as advertised (I was shipped the wrong model), my pop filter for the microphone was not the one on the site (same scenario, different model) & that my boomless microphone stand was missing also.

They were very nice over the phone and called M-Audio to have the Firewire 410 drop shipped in a week. I received it two weeks later after more phone calls (later than most folks actually...arghh). They also apologized about the pop filter and desk stand...and offered to replace them if I sent them back. It wasn't worth my time (or the money) so I declined. I was content that they offered though.

They also apologized about the boomless microphone stand, stating that it was on back order and that they would ship it ASAP. It sure wasn't on back order when I was billed, but whatever. That was fine with me. I asked to speak with the Service Manager and complained that things were not as advertised, but that I was content with how they were handling it.

Weeks went by without me receiving the final microphone stand (the one that was on back order). So I called them up again and asked again where it was. They apologized (again of course) and offered to have it "drop shipped". I doubt if they have any inventory there. Fine. I spoke with the Service Manager again...and reminded him of the previous story and told him that I was not satisfied.

The stand finally arrived a few days later. Hooray.

Then, out of the blue last week, another box arrived at my house from UPS. It was another (boomless) microphone stand. I didn't have to sign for it...it was left behind some plants on the front porch and it took me a few days to see it (damn UPS sometimes).

Interesting, I thought, they sent me two? I checked my credit card balance online...Hmmm...no bill.

Well, I have been jacked around enough times by them. Maybe in all their disorganization they accidentally shipped me two! Hooray, I'll f*ck them for $20!!! Woohoo, Karma does exist! What goes around comes around! Take that DJMart!

I kept the extra microphone stand.

Well, it turns out karma does exist. A charge for $20 just showed up on my credit card statement...and from none other than DJMart. Those b*stards.

I paid my statement on time, but at the last minute, so I didn't want to take the time contend the charge. Now I have to call up DJMart and tell them to refund my card and destroy my financial records (i.e. credit card #) and that I'll return the extra stand. I might even call the Better Business Beaurea to file a complaint. The last thing that I need is to have a company randomly charge me and send me products that I didn't order. If they treat me okay, I probably won't call the BBB as I would have kept that stand if they didn't try to bill me for it.

Long story short, I wish I would have just called them when I found it and dealt with it then (rather than trying to take my "good luck" until they decided to charge me for it).

I hope that this story helps you.

Do the right thing.

acadian · Nov 4, 2003, 11:04 PM

Damn you paid a lot for that RAM I got my 512 sticks for $110 each and a gig stick is $650. I would call them up and tell them what they did then see what they say. They may be happy to have you be an honest person and then let you keep it as a reward.

Those are Canadian prices and it should be noted that they are Kingston/Apple OEM modules. The whole point being that the cheaper third party RAM was incompatable with Panther, which is the reason for the OEM stick order. I called the shop and informed them of the mistake. The manager thanked me for my honesty and offered me a $50.00 credit. I asked if the tech would get into s$#@ for this and he promised me that he would not.

Luca Rescigno · Nov 5, 2003, 04:47 AM

Way to go acadian! Yeah, you missed out on a big phat RAM upgrade, but you got yer good karma and some credit to boot.

Get something nice with that $50.

sghms · Nov 5, 2003, 07:42 AM

Congrats on doing the right thing arcadian

CobraNT · Nov 5, 2003, 07:51 AM

I agree, do the right thing. Screwing companies only hurts everyone. You never know, he may just say 'don't worry about it, you went through enough problems just getting the proper ram'.

The Placid Casual · Nov 5, 2003, 08:31 AM

Karma? do you guys really think that by returning a RAM stick your karma will be effected either way?

How do you know it wasn't karma to have a good break, get lucky and keep the RAM stick?

Pragmatism is where it's at.

It was their mistake... I'd have said keep it! It is a no brainer, whether the assistant appeared to be a decent guy or not. How do you really know what he was like? I've heard some wife beaters and serial killers appeared to be nice people... (Calm down, just being devil's advocate...)

Well, what's done is done... noting can change it, but I mean... how well, quaint.

Just remember that the next time you screw up, people *will not* be so honest and understanding just because you were... that's life whether you happened to return a RAM stick or not...

Peace,

Marc

bbales · Nov 5, 2003, 08:40 AM

Congrats for doing the right thing. So you were going for Apple RAM, huh? I was checking out prices last week, and of course Apple is way higher. But that's the only kind I've gotten since about 6, 7 years ago when I had trouble with non-Apple ram. Cheaper prices are attractive .. but I'm not sure it's worth it, especially with a Panther upgrade coming at some point. (Kind of waiting for the hard drive issue to settle down, first!) Plus, I just haven't had time to spend any kind of time at the computer on something like that right now.

Fellow2000 · Nov 5, 2003, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by acadian:
Those are Canadian prices and it should be noted that they are Kingston/Apple OEM modules. The whole point being that the cheaper third party RAM was incompatable with Panther, which is the reason for the OEM stick order. I called the shop and informed them of the mistake. The manager thanked me for my honesty and offered me a $50.00 credit. I asked if the tech would get into s$#@ for this and he promised me that he would not.

Wow, there still are good people in this world.

madmacgames · 03:01 PM

Originally posted by acadian:
It's not a small shop, rather a campus computer store.

If they are anything like most campus stores, they overcharge on everything so much, they'll make up the difference on the next pen or pencil they sell

(ok a little over exagerated, but seriously most campus stores charge way too much for things, esp campus book stores... not sure if campus computer stores are the same).

MacsGalor · Nov 5, 2003, 01:17 PM

Originally posted by spatterson:
Did you get your 512 stick online?

Yes www.memorytogo.com I've purchased from them several times.

nica · Nov 5, 2003, 02:28 PM

You did the right thing don't let any punk tell you otherwise!

mainemanx · 04:37 PM

An honest person ... well, there's one thing for sure, you're not gonna' make a very successful politician ... at least not in the U.S. Which is not to say that you would want to be a U.S. politician ... observing that you are "acadian" ... maybe Wolfville

Regardless, max kudos for doing the right thing

Podolsky · Nov 5, 2003, 06:06 PM

You should consider running for US President - we some good honest folks......

CobraNT · Nov 5, 2003, 09:47 PM

Here's a scenario for all that said he should keep the RAM
You own a computer store. One of your employees makes a mistake and gives a customers a monitor with the system he just bought. However the customer didn't pay for it, he just wanted bare bones system because he already has a monitor at home. Would you hope the customer is honest and speaks up, or would you rather loose the $500 outta your pocket. The product is different, as well as the dollar amount, but the the fact is the same, you would hope the customer said something instead of just walking out with your $500.
Try running a small business sometime.....

danbrew · Nov 6, 2003, 07:25 AM

If you have to ask the question you already know the answer.

My $0.02.

djjava · Nov 6, 2003, 10:59 AM

Originally posted by acadian:
It's not a small shop, rather a campus computer store. If the guy was'nt so damn nice to me in the first place by not charging me the difference I might consider just keeping it. As it is though, I dont want to get this chap in trouble so I'll return it....tomorrow...going to enjoy it for bit anyways. Who knows, I may have a serious problem in the future and by returning the RAM, this guy will be more inclined to give me special consideration.

Campus store... screw them... they're probably screwing you ever semester anyways....

djjava · Nov 6, 2003, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by Podolsky:
You should consider running for US President - we some good honest folks......

we finally have an honest President... but hey, nothing wrong with wanting more....